Early Thoughts on College Basketball Season

Michigan State started off their year against UNC and Duke but it may have helped them. They'll play amazing come tournament time becuase of the tough teams they played early. And they didn't play horrible against either teams. UCLA is looking like a NIT team not a preseason Elite Eight possibility. Of course they have had a tough schedule but losses to Loyola Marymont and getting killed by Michigan doesn't help. Memphis has also been a disappointment with losses to Michigan and most recently a heartbreaker to Georgetown. Baylor looks more prepared this season for high expectations. But they still have yet to play anyone. Kansas looks really good this year considering what they lost. A 3-2 mark may not be fantastic but they played Kentucky and Duke hard both top ten teams. Mississippi State is ready for a breakout year. They've beat Texas A&M and Arizona comfortably and they are currently 5-1. Who hasn't Duke played this year? But so far they look real good and are undefeated with Ohio State looming. They have the talent to win it all.

My College Football Rankings

1. LSU Look unstoppable even though win against Alabama wasn't pretty.
2. Oklahoma State They've beat everyone this season against tough opponents.
3. Stanford Longest win streak right now in the NCAA.
4. Boise State If Georgia keeps winning Broncos will have stronger resume.
5. Alabama Loss to LSU will be only of season.
6. Oklahoma Loss of Broyles stings but the Sooners are still too talented.
7. Oregon Offense hasn't been as dominant as last season but they are 8-1.
8. Arkansas Beat South Carolina and will fight Alabama for Sugar Bowl bid.
9. Clemson Loss to Georgia Tech hurt them but they'll still keep moving on up.
10. Houston The Cougars are one of the few left undefeated.
11. Virginia Tech Don't look like championship contender but have a good record.
12. Penn State I have no idea how they're 8-1 but they are.
13. Michigan State In crazy conference Spartans look strong.
14. Georgia After 0-2 start Georgia likely won't lose another game this season.
15. South Carolina They aren't ready to take the next step.
16. Nebraska How do you lose to Wisconsin then beat MSU then lose to Northwestern?
17. Wisconsin Have been great at times and looked sometimes horrible.
18. Texas Look like the worst 6-2 team in the nation.
19. Kansas State Win against Oklahoma State would have really helped dangerous squad.
20. Michigan Oh no is another collapse in motion?
21. Georgia Tech 7-2 right now as Virginia Tech awaits.
22. Southern Mississippi They can't be 8-1. Oh, wait they play in Conference USA.
23. Cincinnati Have been most quiet 7-1 team in the nation.
24. Arizona State One field goal away from beating UCLA.
25. USC Hey the Trojans dominated this past week 42-17. Against 1-9 Colorado.

College Basketball Preview: 15. Michigan Wolverines

Hardaway is a real talent and will have such a good season that the Wolverines will not miss Morris.

15. Michigan Wolverines Key Returnees: G/F Tim Hardaway Jr., C Jordan Morgan, G Zach Novak
G Stu Douglass- Senior
G Zach Novak- Senior
F Tim Hardaway Jr.- Sophomore
F Evan Smotrycz- Sophomore
C Jordan Morgan- Sophomore
Sixth- Trey Burke- Freshman
Top Recruit: Trey Burke
John Bellien came out of now where to lead the Wolverines to a 21-14 mark and a NCAA appearance in what was expected to be a rebuilding year for Michigan. Now with four starters back opponents will have their eyes on the Wolverines more. Tim Hardaway Jr. leads the returners and the guard/forward will help soften the loss of leading scorer Darius Morris who ditched early to the NBA. The backcourt will still be solid without Morris thanks to the return of Zach Novak a psychical defender and Stu Douglass who can shoot. Douglass will have to battle freshmen Trey Burke and Carlton Brundidge for the starting point guard spot but may have the edge thanks to experience. Matt Vogrich is a sniper that should get more minutes with the loss of Morris. The frontcourt isn't as experienced but may be better up front but doesn't have depth. Center Jordan Morgan isn't huge but he has the agility and smarts to become an effective center. Evan Smotrcyz isn't flashy but he can play strong minutes and will be a piece to the puzzles for the squad. Sophomores Jon Horford and Colton Christian should also get some playing time.
Bottom Line: The Wolverines couldn't handle high expectations in 2009-2010 but this season will go differently.

College Basketball Preview: 14. UCLA Bruins

Nelson may not look big but in truth the forward is a rebounding machine.

14. UCLA Bruins Key Returnees: F Reeves Nelson, C Joshua Smith, G Lazeric Jones
G Lazeric Jones- Senior
G Norman Powell- Freshman
F Reeves Nelson- Junior
F Travis Wear- Sophomore
C Joshua Smith- Sophmore
Sixth- David Wear- Sophomore
Top Recruit: Norman Powell
Three starters are back from a dangerous second-place finisher in the Pac 10. Now with Utah and Colorado coming in it won't hurt the Bruins. The frontcourt is stocked with talent with center Joshua Smith, forward Reeves Nelson and the arrival of former North Carolina star recruits David and Travis Wear. Smith has real talent and will improve even more in his sophomore season. He'll constantly carve out space underneath and gives the Bruins a talent inside as good as Tyler Honeycutt was. The Wear brothers aren't dominant but should get some big minutes this season. Reeves Nelson may not be huge but he can rebound like a center. He currently leads all returning Pac 12 players in rebounding with 9.1 rebounds per game. Junior Brendan Lane is big but still has a good shot and will play some minutes. The backcourt isn't as strong but still has talent thanks to the return of Lazeric Jones. Jones won't change any games but he is effective and smart. Ben Howland brought in a number of freshman that will play constantly at guard with guys like Norman Powell and former junior college man De'End Parker.
Bottom Line: The Bruins are coming back but the backcourt will keep them from getting back to the Final Four.

College Basketball Preview: 13. Xavier Muskeeters

Few players are better then Holloway and this year he'll have talent to help him.

13. Xavier Musketeers Key Returnees: G Tu Holloway, C Kenny Frease, G Mark Lyons
G Tu Holloway- Senior
G Mark Lyons- Junior
F Travis Taylor- Junior
F Jeff Robinson- Junior
C Kenny Frease- Senior
Sixth- Dezmine Wells- Freshman
Top Recruit- Dezmine Wells
Over the years few teams have been as consistent as the Xavier Musketeers. Once again it looks like this will be a dangerous squad thanks to the return of one of the top players in the nation in Tu Holloway and the A-10's top recruiting class. Holloway has speed and can handle the ball well. In the backcourt with him is junior Mark Lyons who can shoot and plays smart. Dee Davis is a freshman who will come in and get minutes right away. He reminds off Holloway but any freshman will need some adjusting period. Brad Redford may also get some time in the backcourt. Dezmine Wells may play guard but small forward may be the slot where he will get more minutes. He may well be the top incoming player for Xavier. The frontcourt isn't too bad either thanks to the return of center Kenny Frease and forward Jeff Robinson. Frease is big and has the tools to be dominant while Robinson is hard-working and can produce. Junior Travis Taylor will likely start at small forward and can be effective but won't change the game. Senior Andrew Walker hasn't had tons of playing time in his first three seasons but may play a little bit more of a role this season.
Bottom Line: It's Xavier, which means that they will always contend but this season they may take even a bigger step forward.